Health

October 2, 2017HealthComments Off on Bags for life can pose food poisoning risk, says Food Standards Agency

Image copyright Getty Images Bags for life pose a food poisoning risk if they are used to carry raw foods such as meat and fish, a consumer watchdog is warning. The Food Standards Agency says even if there is no leakage, packaging can harbour traces of harmful bacteria that can …

Image copyright SPL If you had millions of pounds to help fight against cancer, how would you spend it? That was the challenge that faced 24 top cancer experts, who were meeting this week in Edinburgh. They have been sifting through hundreds of funding applications to see who should receive …

October 2, 2017HealthComments Off on Prison mental health care criticised after inmate suicide

Image copyright Katrina Rawlins Image caption Andrew Rawlins had struggled with mental health problems from an early age, his family said The sister of a prison inmate who took his own life just 48 hours after being remanded in HMP Bristol says she “has no faith in the system”. Andrew …

October 2, 2017HealthComments Off on Autistic man 'refused help' on train calls for awareness

Image copyright Andrew Edwards Image caption Andrew Edwards was excited to meet England cricketer Joe Root during his trip A man with a severe form of autism who was told he could not board a train by a guard is calling for more awareness of the condition on public transport. …

Image copyright Getty Images The NHS is not fit for the 21st Century, the new chief inspector of hospitals in England has said. Professor Ted Baker, who started the role last month, said the system had not adapted to deal with the growth in the population. In an interview with …

September 30, 2017HealthComments Off on Mental health: 10 charts on the scale of the problem

Image copyright Other At any one time, a sixth of the population in England aged 16 to 64 have a mental health problem, according to statistics body NHS Digital. Whether it is family or friends, neighbours or work colleagues, the chances are we all know someone who is affected. And …

September 29, 2017HealthComments Off on Schools allowed to keep spare allergy pens under new law

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Allergy pens contain adrenaline for treating life-threatening allergic reactions All schools in the UK will be allowed to buy spare adrenaline auto-injectors for use on children with serious allergies in emergencies, following a change in the law. At present, children need a prescription to …

September 29, 2017HealthComments Off on Mum blames politicians for child's spinal surgery wait

Image copyright Karen Fleming Image caption The curve of Megan’s spine has increased by 30% in nine months The mother of a 14-year-old girl who may have to wait a year for critical spinal surgery says the delay is shocking and unacceptable. Megan Fleming has been diagnosed with scoliosis of …

September 29, 2017HealthComments Off on NHS agrees to fund 'life-changing' drug for seven-year-old

Image caption If the seven-year-old boy ate “normally”, protein would accumulate in his blood in dangerous concentrations NHS England has agreed to fund a drug costing about £100 a day for a seven-year-old boy whose condition could cause brain damage, after being told by a judge to reconsider his case. …

September 29, 2017HealthComments Off on 'Mentally impaired' missing out on council tax discount

Image caption Vivien eventually qualified for a full council tax back payment of £6,000 Ten of thousands of vulnerable people could be missing out on a council tax discount that could save them thousands of pounds, the BBC has learned. Those diagnosed as “severely mentally impaired” don’t have to pay …